Challenging run chases
Batsmen have mighty jobs ahead when Horsham Cricket Association A Grade games resume this weekend.
7HDPV SRVWHG PRQVWHU VFRUHV LQ WKH ¿UVW of the association’s two-day games on Saturday, setting a massive test for their opponents.
7KH ELJJHVW VFRUH FDPH RII WKH ÀRZLQJ blades of Homers batsman on the turf at Horsham Sunnyside, but Horsham Saints weren’t too far behind at Horsham City Oval.
Laharum was further back in the scorecard, but it too enjoyed plenty of runs at Rupanyup.
Centuries were major highlights of weekend batting, with Homers opening lefthand all-rounder Simon Hopper clipping 162 and opening team-mate Adam Atwood making a neat 100 against West Wimmera.
The pair enjoyed a 236-run stand, Hopper hitting 22 fours and a six and Atwood hitting 14 fours. Craig Britten unleashed with an unbeaten
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The score at the compulsory closure of the innings at stumps was 2-375, a profound score considering West Wimmera had won the toss and had elected to bowl. Horsham Saints also made the most of high-quality batting conditions, clipping a KHIW\ DJDLQVW -XQJ 7LJHUV
Hard-hitting opener Mark Crafter topped the scoring list with a knock of 113, which included 15 fours and two sixes, and shared a 205-run stand with Gary Davidson.
Left-hander Davidson made 98 in a knock featuring 14 fours and Brad Sproule, 51 not out, and Austin Smith, 41, also made impressions.
7KH 6DLQWV KLW WKHLU ZD\ WR D À\LQJ VWDUW and few Tigers enjoyed success with the EDOO DOWKRXJK RII VSLQQHU -DNH 0F/HDQ had good spells. Laharum’s middle order played a pivotal role in the Mountain Men notching up 8-274 against Rupanyup-minyip.
/DKDUXP RSHQHU -RVK 0DKRQH\ VWRRG ¿UPO\ LQ D VKDN\ VWDUW IRU WKH YLVLWRUV EXW Damien Bunworth, 54, Ben Peucker, 58, and Mal Adams, 40, consolidated the innings.
&OLQW 0LGJOH\ DQG -RUGDQ :HLGH mann, 3-56, were the most successful of the Blue Panthers’ bowlers.
Rupanyup-minyip’s line-up includes experienced players who will give themselves a big chance of chasing down the target.
Horsham